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Whisky: Springbank 18yo, 46%
± £64 ≈ R 700

This is the second edition of Springbank’s 18yo, with an update in packaging. A mixture of bourbon and sherry casks, unchillfiltered. Named as Best Campbeltown Malt, aged 13-20, at the World Whisky Awards in 2010.

Nose: Unprocessed honey, malt (cloudy wort anyone?). Various wood notes; pine furniture and wood shavings. Fruit pie – more the crust then the fruit, but fruit too. Suntan oil and crushed almonds.

Taste: Gentle on the palette but not lacking in flavour. Hearty wood spice. Almost oily, not only in texture but taste components too. Tropical fruit kebabs on the BBQ, simmering smoke included. Rich and well balanced

Finish: Hamster cage. Leaves a long and satisfying oily coating with the spice as company till the end.

My Score: 84

I find this 18yo has much more life in it than the 10yo expression, and I’m thoroughly enjoying it. A real combination of tropical flavours and mixed woods. Lots going on but professionally orchestrated.

Other Scores: SV 88, JH 85

Whisky: Springbank 10yo, 46%

This is the only Campbeltown malt whisky available in SA and I’ve been told it will no longer be imported, so if you see a bottle best buy it quick.

Nose: There’s quite a lot going on with this nose with interplay between spce, fruit, and some cereals. At first its hard to pick out the particulars, but with some time and focus brine comes through with malt lurking in the background and a little lemon too.

Taste: Very smooth for a younger whisky particularly at 46% with an enjoyable oily texture that coats the inside of your mouth while drying it at the same time. A good dose of spiciness.

Finish: Feels like I’ve licked the inside of a used cask. Strong flavour of wood left in my mouth but then comes some lighter zesty fruit notes.

My Score: 77

Not bad, but I find there are too many flavours competing with one another with no clear winner. If you see a bottle its worth buying but don’t expect wonders. This will work well when you’re not sure what malt you feel like.

Scores: JM’09 89, MJ 83, MM 79